Participating in EC funding programmes and tenders

Successful Story 1: Carer+ & Carenet Funding Programme: CIP and LLP-KA3 (2012-2015) Complementary projects focused on the digital competences

of carers and caregivers (one on pilot, other on network) Partnership: same applicant (FEPEM, carer specialist),

similar consortiums (TE partner in both) Funding: 2,5m and 500k EUR respectively Applications prepared by a FEPEM expert with collaboration

of partners FEPEM was already a recognised actor for DG INFSO;

TE involvement was suggested by an EC officer (!)

Successful Story 2: MIREIA Survey JRC-IPTS Tender Building block of MIREIA, EC’s research on the impact

measurement and evaluation of eInclusion Intermediaries Partnership: Telecentre-Europe and Univ. of Washington Funding: 25k EUR Proposal prepared by TE staff and a UW researcher TE was invited since MIREIA was conceived as an answer to

policy issues identified in the context of a TE Summit

Successful Story 3: Multimedia TC Academy & UniteIT Funding Programme: LLP Grundvig+KA3 (2012-2015) Complementary projects focused on the capacity building of

telecentres (one on final users, other on network) Partnership: same applicant (Telecentre-Europe), similar

consortiums (TE partner in both) Funding: 300k and 450k EUR respectively Applications prepared by a professional proposal-writer with

basic inputs from partners Selected by evaluators with no policy influence

Successful Story 4: Key Competences for All + e-Facilitator of Social Inclusion Funding Programme: LLP Grundtvig + Leonardo (2009-2011) Complementary projects focused on e-Inclusion actors as

channel of non-formal digital education (one on final users, other on intermediaries)

Partnership: same applicant (Esplai, large foundation), same co-ordinator (D-O-T, specialised SME), ad-hoc consortiums

Funding: 300k and 400k EUR respectively Applications prepared collaboratively (led by D-O-T)

on the basis of successful national experiences Selected by evaluators with no policy influence

Unsuccessful Stories (many): lessons learnt Think strategically (avoid proposals for the sake of funding) Look for funding opportunities appropriate to your goals Check your added value to the funding programme’s priorities Check all formalities, the level of co-funding required and

your readiness to deliver (both activities and financially) Look for reliable partners (better if based on previous exp.) If you are not experienced, delegate the proposal preparation

to experienced partners or professional writers

what not to do, or some pitfalls in the funding process